Clear Creek voters received their General Election ballots recently and may be wondering about Initiative 1A: what does it mean and how does it help? If approved, Initiative 1A would authorize the Board of County Commissioners to decide whether the county should participate in the Fire and Police Pension Association. The initiative is not seeking a tax increase or a new tax; it is seeking voter approval for the county to explore the FPPA as a defined retirement benefit for sworn employees.
The lack of a sustainable pension impacts retention at the Sheriff’s Office and greatly hinders our ability to recruit lateral officers from other departments. Currently, our sworn employees receive a 4% employer match to their 4% mandatory 401A contribution. In comparison, Jefferson County matches up to 12% for sworn employees’ 401A, and Douglas County matches up to 13%. In addition, our deputies earn roughly $15,000 less per year than their counterparts at other agencies. Neighboring counties contribute much more to retirement and pay higher salaries, making it challenging for us to compete when trying to recruit and retain qualified, experienced deputies.
So how does Initiative 1A help? Our turnover rate for sworn staff in 2023 was 41%, and we currently have seven deputy vacancies. As a result, the county is projected to spend close to $200,000 this year on overtime costs to meet minimum sworn staffing requirements. This expense would be virtually eliminated if full staffing is attained, and maintained.
To improve public safety services and be the professional law enforcement agency our community desires and deserves, we need to be able to recruit and retain qualified, experienced employees. A pension would help accomplish this goal. If Initiative 1A is approved, the BoCC will have voter authority to consider the FPPA as a retirement option. If the BoCC does decide to participate in the FPPA, the additional retirement benefit would mean an estimated $123,300 annual budget increase.
We can no longer afford to ask our deputies to put less tangible perks such as spectacular scenery, wonderful wildlife and close-knit communities ahead of their families’ financial future. It is not sustainable. And neither is a sheriff’s office that routinely loses good employees to other agencies with better benefits. Initiative 1A is a step in the right direction to help rebuild and strengthen our sheriff’s office. And I strongly believe we all want that.
Matt Harris, Clear Creek Sheriff
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